“Today was incredible,” he says, leaning into my cheek. “I’m going to remember every second of it for the rest of my life.”
My heart beats rapidly as I press my body against his warm chest. No one has ever talked to me like this before. No one has ever bought me clothes, told me what they like, made me feel this chosen. Heck, even as a kid, my parents doted over my younger sister constantly. She could do no wrong and I regularly felt in the way.
The bag is heavy in my hands, and I can’t figure out what it could be for the life of me. A candle? Maybe two? I bet he overheard me telling Jake how much I loved lilac. We had a whole conversation about it when he got home from school after drawing purple flowers.
I pull a square yellow box out of the paper bag, my heart stopping immediately.
I know what this is.
He bought me a camera!
A nice one with a big macro lens and a cleaning kit.
It must have cost him a fortune.
“What is this?” I narrow my gaze up at him until his calloused hand cups my face.
“I don’t have a lot, Violet, but I want you to have everything you’ve ever wanted. I want to be the one that makes your dreams come true. I hope I didn’t screw it up.”
“Screw it up? Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. I wanted the camera to be perfect. I wanted giving it to you to be perfect.”
“It is,” I say, a tear swelling in my eye as I tip up onto my toes to kiss his lips. “It’s so perfect.”
“I figure you can use it at the party tonight to take pictures. If you don’t want to tell your dad why we’re there together, you can say I’m bringing you along for the photos.”
Suddenly, I want to tell everyone everything. I don’t want to hide anymore. Why would anyone think what we’re doing is wrong? We’re two consenting adults who care about each other. The town should embrace us.
That said, tonight isn’t the night. Tonight has to be about the distillery and all the work the guys have done.
“Yes,” my eyes widen, “that’s perfect!” I wrap my arms around him, breathing in the cedar on his chest. “Thank you, Cash, for everything. You made me feel so wanted today.”
He huffs as he grins. “Violet, I could never repay you for everything you do for the kids and I.” He leans into my lips and brushes against me softly until we hear the shriek of a five-year-old from the top of the stairs.
“Oh my God! Dad is kissing Ms. V! Dad is kissing Ms. V!” Cora jumps up and down in her frog towel as she screams.
“Get back in here, froggy!” Bella scoops her up. “Sorry. This one escaped!”
I slap my hand over my mouth and stare up at him. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve been more careful in the house.”
He smiles and leans into my lips with a growl. “Hate to tell you, but you belong to us now. I’m not letting you go.”
I press my forehead to his, my breath catching on the edge of a grin. “That’s good because I was planning to stay anyway.”
His hand slides to the back of my neck, and his eyes lock with mine, possessive and hungry, like he’s decided that I fit here and he never planned on letting me think otherwise.
There’s something about that kind of certainty, that unshakeable claim. It’s electric.
I’m euphoric, lost in the moment, when my phone rings and lights up on the counter, Andrew’s name flashing loud and clear. A reminder that nothing can ever be simple.
Chapter Ten
Cash
The distillery is lit up in lights, Main Street is buzzing with folks, and the rain is pouring down harder than it has all day. It hasn’t stopped the crowds, though I reckon most of that has to do with the rednecks who are here endorsing the place.
With all the shit they’ve given us over the past couple of months, I figure there has to be a catch, but right now, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
